The most callous cyclist in Britain: Shocking moment he mows down three-year-old girl and drags her along pavement before riding off

Cyclist ploughed into three-year-old as she walked out of her front gateYoungster was caught up in the pedals and dragged along the pathFamily say cyclist swore at them then cycled off, while girl lay injuredShe survived with cuts to face, hands and legs. Police set to interview man

By Richard Spillett for MailOnline and Nazia Parveen for the Daily Mail

Published: 11:17, 21 May 2015 | Updated: 02:38, 22 May 2015

This is the heart-stopping moment a toddler is knocked over by a 'hit-and-run' cyclist and dragged along the pavement outside her home.

Shocking photographs show three-year-old Lucie Wilding being hit by the speeding cyclist just moments after stepping out of her front garden.

The horrific episode was caught on CCTV, with camera footage showing the blonde-haired rider in a luminous orange jacket speeding towards the young girl before hitting her – sending her hurtling through the air.

She was then caught up in the pedals and dragged face-down along the street.

This is the shocking moment a cyclist ploughed into a three-year-old on the pavement before cycling off

Lucie's mother Lauren Howarth, 26, said: 'One minute she was behind me and the next she was further along the street, sprawled across the pavement.

'I thought she was dead. There was blood coming from everywhere. She was hysterical, screaming at the top of her lungs.

'I had to check she still had arms and legs because the speed she was taken was so quick and she'd just been flattened by this bike.'

The family were on their way to a carwash at the time. Lucie had followed her mother to the family car outside when she was hit by the cyclist on Monday afternoon in Blackpool.

After she was mowed down her father Matt jumped over the garden wall to cradle his daughter in his arms as she lay crumpled and covered in blood.

Incredibly the cyclist, who fell off his bike after hitting the toddler, allegedly began to ‘hurl abuse’ at the young family – blaming their daughter for the accident – before fleeing the scene.

Lucie was left covered in blood with cuts to her face, head, hands and knees.

She was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital A&E where her parents were relieved to learn she had not broken any bones. She was, however, left with head injuries caused by the bike's tyre.

Ms Howarth said: 'I was heading towards the car and Lucie was following me.

'As soon as Lucie stepped out, he got her. He must have been going some speed because I didn't see him.

Little Lucie was walking out of her home in Blackpool, Lancashire as her mother opened the car

But as the three-year-old emerged on to the pavement, a cyclist appeared and ploughed into her at speed

The youngster became caught up in the pedals and was dragged along the pavement outside her home

The youngster became caught up in the pedals and was dragged along the pavement outside her home

Her father rushed out to pick her up and she was taken to hospital with cuts to her head, arms and legs

'Matt jumped over the wall and got to her and swept her up.

'We didn't know what kind of injuries she had suffered, we just knew we had to get her straight to the hospital so we put her straight in the car.'

The family say the cyclist made no efforts to check how Lucie was and Ms Howarth claims he swore at her before getting back on his bike and cycling off.

'He was on the floor with his head on the pavement,' said Ms Howarth. 'I was expecting him to say "I'm so sorry, is everyone okay" or something like that but there was nothing.

“ I thought she was dead. There was blood coming from everywhere. She was hysterical, screaming at the top of her lungs”

As soon as he got up he started swearing at us, as if it was Lucie's fault that he had hit her. The next thing we knew he'd gone and we've not heard from him since.

'I know it would have been a shock for him but it would have been nice for him to put a note through the door to check how she is. For all he knew, she could be dead.'

Lucie is now recovering at home. While her physical injuries will heal relatively quickly, the family fear the mental scarring may last much longer.

Ms Howarth, a carer currently on maternity leave, said: 'For a three-year-old to go through something like that is a big thing.

'She's now very nervous of bikes, and we've had to tell her that daddy has got rid of the bike to make her feel better.

'But she won't walk across the pavement to the car at the moment, we have to carry her, because she's scared of being hit. She's been really brave though, we're really proud of her.'

The family say this is the cyclist who was involved in the incident and rode off soon after it happened

The youngster was left with cuts and bruises to her face, her parents fear she may be traumatised

The youngster was left with cuts and bruises to her face, her parents fear she may be traumatised.

Ms Howarth, who is also mother to daughters Katie, six, and eight-week-old Ellie are now hoping to raise awareness of cyclists who ride on pavements despite it being against the law.

She added: 'I would never have walked out of our house before and looked left and right as if I'm crossing a road.

'It's a pavement so you're just aware if there's people walking about but you never expect something like this to happen right outside your home.

WHAT ARE THE RULES ON CYCLING ON THE PAVEMENT?

Cycling on the pavement is a crime under laws dating from the 19th century.

The Highway Code is absolutely clear on the matter, stating: ‘You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.’

Police can issue a fixed penalty notice of £50 for the offence, although the maximum fine goes up to £500 if the case reaches court.

Strictly speaking, the law applies to cyclists of any age.

But children under 16 cannot be issued with a fixed penalty notice, so police officers can only tell off younger teenage riders who stray off the road.

'The speed he was going on that bike in a residential area with young children around is dangerous and this happened to Lucie out of nowhere.

'People need to be aware that cyclists can be dangerous drivers too.'

Miss Howarth took a picture of the cyclist on her mobile phone and posted it on social media. It was then shared more than 700 times in a bid to identify the cyclist, who has yet to be publicly named.

However, the day after the accident a man in his 20s contacted the police in connection with the incident and was due to speak to officers today.

PC Joanna Mills of Lancashire Police said: 'There are a number of offences that will be discussed with this man - riding on pavements and dangerous cycling.

'For a three-year-old this isn't a pleasant experience when you're just walking from your home to your car.

'Lucie is lucky she's escaped with only scrapes and bruises. It could have been a lot worse.'

Cycling on pavements is forbidden under the Highway Act 1835. The maximum court fine is £500 or the police can issue a £50 fixed penalty notice.

Her mother Lauren Howarth now wants to raise awareness of the dangers of cycling on pavements.

_________________Anyone who tells you that nothing is impossible has never bathed in a saucer of water.

It is an awful event.However the mum says that the child 'followed her' well yes but not directly behind her. Would I expect a 3yr old to 'look out' no not really.

However for the cyclist who perhaps looked at mum at the car and missed the potential and developing hazard shows a sever lack of anticipation. I'm not sure he realises what's going on until way too late. Without trying to defend him in any way, once he realises he might well swear. However to disappear from the scene is awful. Had he apologised (as he claims) what then, OK I'm off? Whilst I don't know how could you just leave. But wither way he did and they took the child to hospital. Pretty stunning actions.

It seems more shocking as he's on a bike on the pavement where he ought not to be travelling at all but as he is, it ought to have been at a very cautious pace indeed. As soon as he saw the lady he ought to have checked left and slowed massively. That would have alerted him to the toddler.

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